Early Signs of Diabetes You Should Not Ignore and What to Do

Early Signs of Diabetes You Should Not Ignore and What to Do

The early signs of diabetes include peeing often, feeling very thirsty or hungry, losing weight without trying, tiredness, blurry vision and frequent urinary or yeast infections. Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly with mild or no symptoms, so a simple blood test is the only reliable way to know.

This guide is for adults who have noticed possible symptoms, have risk factors, or want clear answers about testing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Key takeaways

  • About 1 in 8 Americans has diabetes, according to the CDC.
  • About 2 in 5 American adults have prediabetes, and about 8 in 10 of them don't know it.
  • Type 2 diabetes symptoms often develop over several years, and some people never notice any.
  • An A1C of 6.5% or higher, or a fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, is in the diabetes range; a diagnosis needs two abnormal results.
  • Prediabetes can be reversed to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through weight loss, physical activity and healthy eating.

What are the early signs of diabetes?

The most common early signs are frequent urination, strong thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision and repeated infections. Type 2 diabetes can also cause slow-healing sores, dark skin patches and tingling in the hands or feet.

Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) stays too high because the body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it well. The CDC's list of diabetes symptoms breaks them down by type:

SymptomType 1Type 2Why it happens, in plain terms
Frequent urinationYesYesKidneys flush out extra sugar with water
Increased thirst and hungerYesYesFluid loss and cells not getting the fuel they need
Losing weight without tryingYesYesThe body breaks down fat and muscle for energy
Fatigue, irritability or moodinessYesYesUnstable blood sugar affects energy and mood
Blurry visionYesYesHigh glucose affects the lens of the eye
Frequent urinary tract or yeast infectionsYesYesSugar in urine and tissues helps germs grow
Nausea, vomiting, stomach painYesLess typicalCan signal diabetic ketoacidosis, an emergency
Slow-healing cuts or soresLess typicalYesHigh glucose slows healing
Dark patches on neck, armpits or groinLess typicalYesLinked to insulin resistance
Numbness or tingling in hands or feetLess typicalYesNerve effects of high blood sugar

The CDC notes that type 1 symptoms can appear suddenly, over just a few weeks or months, and can be severe. In children, new bed-wetting or more accidents can be a clue. Type 2 symptoms tend to creep in over several years. Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, usually has no symptoms, so doctors test for it between 24 and 28 weeks. For a deeper look at how the types differ, read type 1 vs type 2 diabetes explained.

Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes?

You're at higher risk if you have overweight or obesity, are 45 or older, have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, or are physically active less than 3 times a week. Several other factors raise risk too.

The CDC's diabetes risk factors page lists these for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes:

  • Having overweight or obesity
  • Being 45 or older
  • Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
  • Being physically active less than 3 times a week
  • Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Having had gestational diabetes or a baby who weighed over 9 pounds
  • Being African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native; some Pacific Islander and Asian American people also have higher risk

If you have two or three of these, ask for a test even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often travels with diabetes, so it's worth knowing what your blood pressure numbers mean as well.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diabetes is diagnosed with blood tests: A1C, fasting plasma glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test or, when symptoms are clear, a random glucose test. Two abnormal results are needed to confirm it.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases sets out these thresholds. A1C is a blood test that reflects your average blood sugar over the past few months. Fasting plasma glucose is measured after at least 8 hours without food.

TestPrediabetesDiabetes
A1C5.7% to 6.4%6.5% or higher
Fasting plasma glucose100 to 125 mg/dL126 mg/dL or higher
Oral glucose tolerance test, 2-hour value140 to 199 mg/dL200 mg/dL or higher
Random plasma glucoseNot used200 mg/dL or higher, with classic symptoms

NIDDK notes that a diagnosis requires two abnormal results, either from the same blood sample or from two samples. A1C isn't reliable for everyone: certain inherited hemoglobin variants, anemia, kidney or liver disease, recent blood loss or transfusion can push results up or down. If your A1C doesn't match how you feel or other results, ask whether a different test is better for you.

What should you do if you notice signs of diabetes?

Book a doctor's appointment and ask for a blood sugar test. Don't wait to see if symptoms pass, and don't rely on home glucose meters to rule diabetes out.

  1. Write down your symptoms and when they started, including thirst, urination at night, weight changes and infections.
  2. List your risk factors from the section above, including family history.
  3. Book a visit and ask specifically for an A1C or fasting glucose test.
  4. Follow the fasting instructions if you're having a fasting test.
  5. Ask about your numbers, not just "normal or not," so you can track them over time.
  6. If results are in the prediabetes range, ask about a lifestyle change program and when to retest. NIDDK mentions retesting in 3 to 6 months when results are near the diabetes range.

Type 2 diabetes questions people often ask

Most questions come down to whether type 2 can be prevented, how it is managed and which popular beliefs are wrong. Here are straight answers.

Can prediabetes be reversed?

Yes. The CDC says you can reverse prediabetes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, through losing weight if you have overweight, being more active and eating a healthy diet. The CDC's prediabetes campaign stresses that most people with prediabetes don't know they have it, which is why testing matters.

How is type 2 diabetes managed?

Management combines eating patterns, activity, weight management, regular monitoring and, for many people, medicine. Practical changes include more fiber, fewer sugary drinks, regular movement and strength work. These guides cover what really works to keep blood sugar in check, affordable high-fiber foods and a simple strength training plan.

Common diabetes myths

  • "I'd know if I had diabetes." The CDC says type 2 symptoms often develop over years and some people never notice them.
  • "Only older adults get type 2." It usually starts in adulthood, but the CDC notes more children and teens are now affected.
  • "Prediabetes isn't a real problem." It's a warning stage, and it's the best time to act because it can be reversed.
  • "People with diabetes can never eat carbs." Portions, pairing and food choices matter more than total bans. See whether potatoes can still fit with diabetes.
  • "Cutting all sugar cures diabetes." Reducing added sugar helps, as this step-by-step guide to cutting added sugar explains, but diabetes involves insulin and overall metabolism, not sugar alone.

Common mistakes

  • Blaming symptoms on age or stress. Thirst, tiredness and blurry vision are easy to dismiss.
  • Testing once and stopping. A normal result with risk factors still needs repeat checks over time.
  • Relying on a single test that may be skewed. A1C can be inaccurate in some people, as NIDDK explains.
  • Ignoring skin changes. Dark patches on the neck or armpits can point to insulin resistance.
  • Waiting for symptoms after a prediabetes result. Act on the number, not on how you feel.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor soon if you have any of the symptoms in the table above, especially more than one, or if you have several risk factors and haven't been tested. Get emergency care right away for:

  • Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain with heavy thirst and frequent urination, which can signal diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • Fruity-smelling breath, fast or deep breathing, confusion or extreme drowsiness.
  • Signs in a child of sudden weight loss, intense thirst and new bed-wetting.
  • A foot sore that is red, warm, swollen or not healing.
  • Sudden changes in vision.

People with diabetes should also have regular kidney checks; these kidney-friendly habits are a good start.

Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs of diabetes in adults?

The first signs are often frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, fatigue and blurry vision, according to the CDC. Type 2 can add slow-healing sores, dark skin patches and tingling in the hands or feet. Many adults have mild or no symptoms, so testing is the only reliable way to know.

What A1C level means diabetes?

An A1C of 6.5% or higher is in the diabetes range, and 5.7% to 6.4% is the prediabetes range, according to NIDDK. A diagnosis needs two abnormal results. Some conditions, such as certain hemoglobin variants, anemia and kidney disease, can make A1C less accurate.

Can you have diabetes and not know it?

Yes. The CDC says type 2 symptoms often develop over several years and some people never notice them. With prediabetes, about 8 in 10 adults don't know they have it. That's why adults with risk factors such as age 45 or older or a family history should ask for a test.

Is type 2 diabetes reversible?

Prediabetes can be reversed, and the CDC says lifestyle changes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Once type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, many people can bring blood sugar into a healthier range with weight loss, activity, eating changes and medicine, but it still needs ongoing monitoring with your doctor.

What to do next

  1. Compare your symptoms and risk factors with the lists above.
  2. Book a doctor's visit and ask for an A1C or fasting glucose test.
  3. If you have prediabetes, ask about a lifestyle change program and set a retest date.
  4. Start one change this week: a daily walk, more fiber or swapping sugary drinks for water.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 2026.

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